Packaging structure



7, 1968 D. w. DONOVAN 3,398,848

PACKAGING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April '7, 1967 I N VEN TOR.

DONALD W. DONOVAN Aug. 27, 1968 w. DONQVAN PACKAGING STRUCTURE 2SheetsSheet 2 Filed April 7, 1967 INVENTOR. DONALD W. DONOVAN UnitedStates Patent 3,398,848 PACKAGING STRUCTURE Donald W. Donovan,Glastonbury, Conn., assignor to Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Mo., acorporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 629,245 12 Claims.(Cl. 215-9) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container and safety closurerequiring for removal, initial engagement of cam means, comprising aplurality of protuberances on either the closure or container which fitwithin cooperating depressions on deforming the closure endwall,followed by rotation, wherein the protuberances ride out of thedepressions to disengage the means for locking the closure on thecontainer.

Specification This invention relates generally to the field of packagesand closures therefor, and more particularly, to an improved form ofbottle and safety closure therefor.

The number of medicinals usually available in the average householdsubstantially increases the danger of accidental use by children.Although many safety precautions can be taken to minimize the risk ofchildren obtaining and eating or drinking substances that are harmful,occasions nevertheless arise where small children manage to reachpackages, bottles or other containers of drugs and pharmaceuticals. Thelikelihood of such a mishap has been increased in recent years throughthe advent of flavored medicines for children, thereby increasing theirappetite for, and sharpening their already acute inquisitivenessconcerning a variety of drugs.

Many prior art safety devices have been developed in an attempt topresent a child-proof container for harmful drugs, tablets, andmedicinals; however, such devices have proven to be complicated,expensive, and generally unreliable since the requirements for such adevice are not only that it be child-proof, but also that the devicepermit 8 an adult to readily obtain the contents of the container in anemergency.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide animproved package which overcomes all of the aforementioned disadvantagesand dangers, while still presenting structure convenient to manipulateby an adult intending to gain access to the contents of such package.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a container orbottle and a one piece safety closure, which, while being child-proof,is nevertheless economical to manufacture.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a container andsafety closure which is positive and absolute in its locking action, toprevent opening by a small child.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container and safetyclosure which includes means for positively preventing removal of theclosure from the container by either simple turning of the closure orsimple pulling of the cap relative to the container or a combination ofsuch forces, but which permits easy removal of the ice These and otherobjects are accomplished by providing a packaging structure comprising acontainer having a substantially cylindrical portion open at oneextremity, to define an upper edge surface; a closure for the openextremity of the cylindrical portion having a sidewall and a resilienttopwall; means associated with the sidewall and the cylindrical Portionof the container for longitudinally securing the sidewall and thecylindrical portion relative to each other; and cam means associatedwith an inner surface of the closure and the edge surface of thecylindrical portion of the container, said cam means comprising aplurality of protuberances on one of said surfaces, and a plurality ofcooperating depressions in the other of said surfaces for receiving theprotuberances on deforming the resilient topwall.

In describing the overall invention, reference will be made to apreferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary elevational perspective view, partially in crosssection showing a container of this invention with the safety closure inplace thereon just prior to removal, and indicating the method ofrelease of the closure from the container.

FIG. II is a view similar to FIG. I showing an intermediate position ofthe closure during removal from the container.

FIG. III is a view similar to FIGS. I and II showing the closure free ofthe container.

FIG. IV is a view similar to FIGS. I-III showing the closure locked inplace on the container.

With reference to the drawings wherein identical numerals refer toidentical parts there is shown in FIG. I a container or bottle 10 havinga body 12, and a substantially cylindrical portion open at one end,comprising an open topped elongated neck 14 provided with first lockingmeans 16, comprising an outturned annular locking ring intermediate itsends, and adjacent the lower end 18 of the neck. Neck 14 has an upperend or edge surface 20 in which are provided around the periphery aplurality of shaped depressions 22, which are shallow V-shaped notcheshaving upwardly and outwardly diverging sides or sliding surfaces 24aand 24b as shown in FIG. II, with relatively sharp apexes 25 (FIG. III).

Closure 26 is provided for closing open-topped neck 14, and has atubular sidewall 28 provided with second locking means comprisinginturned flange 30 at its lower end for resiliently engaging the firstlocking means on the container neck when the closure is applied to thecontainer. Closure 26 further comprises resilient top or end wall 32 forclosing the upper end of sidewall 28. As shown in FIG. IV, end wall 32of closure 26 has a border portion 34 which tapers upwardly and inwardlyaround the periphery of the end wall, from its junction with sidewall28. Central section 36 of end wall 32 is provided within border portion34, and may comprise a concave downwardly extending finger cavity.Adjacent the periphery of end wall 32 a plurality of protuberances 37 orrounded projections extend downwardly from the inner surface 38 of theborder portion. Each protuberance 37 has a curved engaging surface 40for intermeshing within the cooperating V-shaped grooves 32 of thecontainer neck. Thinned section or flexing joint 42 is provided aroundthe periphery at the point of connection of end wall 32 with sidewall28. A knurled gripping surface 43 comprising a series of longitudinalslits to aid in turning the closure is provided on the outer surface ofsidewall 28.

To remove closure 26 from cylindrical portion or neck 14 of container.12, it is necessary that one understand the function of the structureso as to be able to exert different and cooperating forces, as indicatedby the fingers and direction of the arrows in FIG. I. One finger of theusers hand (most likely the forefinger) must axially depress end wall 32of closure 26 downward, preferably from within the central finger cavity36 so as to deform yieldable'and resilient end Wall 32 until the curvedengaging surface 40 of the rounded projections 37 are engaged within theV-shaped notches of the container neck, and contact at least a portionof surfaces 24a and 24b thereof. With the protuberances thus engagedwithin the depressions, generally the thumb and another finger of thehand, most likely the second, grip the knurled outer surface 43 ofsidewall 28 and turn the closure in either direction at substantiallyright angles to the initial finger force while maintaining the containerstationary. When this rotational movement is imparted to the closure,the curved surface 40 of each projection 37 Within depression 22slidingly and frictionally moves longitudinally upward along eithersliding surface or side of the notch depending on the direction ofrotation, until the curved surface 40 rests atop sharp apex 25 of thesides. This rotation thus imparts translational movement to the closureas illustrated in FIG. II, until inturned flange 30 of the closuresidewall has become disengaged from locking ring 16 of the containerneck, since location of the flange and ring is such that they aredisengaged when the protuberances rest atop the apexes of the notches.The closure may be then lifted free of the container to expose the openended neck as illustrated in FIG. III and permit access to the containercontents. On releasing the downward compressive force, the resilient topreturns to its non-depressed, at rest position. During early ages mostchildren lack the reasoning ability, dexterity, and coordination to usethe fingers to apply two substantially differing forces in the mannerdescribed in order to remove the closure from the container.

To apply the closure to the container, it is fitted over the open top,and the convex downward outer surface of the inturned flange on thesidewall resiliently pressed with some force beyond the locking ring ofthe container, in an axialdirection until the flange yieldably snapsunder the locking ring as shown in FIG. IV. When the closure is lockedon the container in an at rest position, the resilient top wall is in anon-depressed retracted position as shown in FIG. IV, with theprotuberances substantially aligned but out of engagement with thedepressions in the end of the container. The structure of the lockingmeans associated with the sidewall and the cylindrical portion of thecontainer for longitudinally securing the sidewall of the closure on thecylindrical portion must be sufficient to resist removal of the closurefrom the container by a simple axial pulling by a child or another. Itis intended in the illustrated embodiment that the closure be removedonly with the assistance of the resilient top thereof acting in thenature of a cam follower, whereby the closure protuberances first becomeengaged in the notches of the container end and then ride up the sidesof the notches as the closure is turned in either direction, to impartsubstantially axially upward movement to the entire closure.

The above description and particularly the drawings are set forth forpurposes of illustration only and are not to be taken in a limitedsense.

As previously mentioned, the invention is directed toward a packagingstructure comprising a container having a substantially cylindricalportion open at one extremity, to define an upper edge surface; aclosure for the open extremity of the cylindrical portion having asidewall and a resilient topwall; means associated with the sidewall andthe cylindrical portion of the container for longitudinally securing thesidewall and the cylindrical portion relative to each other; cam meansassociated with an inner surface of the closure and the edge surface ofthe cylindrical portion of the container, said cam means comprising aplurality of protuberances on one of said surfaces, and a plurality ofcooperating depressions in the other of said surfaces for receiving theprotuberances on deforming the resilient topwall.

Container 10 may of course be formed of any suitable material such asglass, metal, plastic or the like. Thermoplastic is preferred. Theclosure is preferably formed of a resilient thermoplastic such as low orhigh density polyethylene.

The present invention is not meant to be construed as limited tobottles, it being apparent that the principles of the invention wouldapply equally well to a container having a uniform diameter throughoutits length, except for the closure locking provisions. Containers ofsuch substantially cylindrical configuration are, of course, relativelycommon for use in the packaging of prescriptions and medicinal products.

The end wall of the container closure must be sufficiently yieldable topermit manual deformation by the fingers of an adult, yet sufiicientlyresiliently to return to its non-deformed position on release of thefingers. In other Words an engaging step must be performed duringremoval. Resiliency may be provided by a relatively thin constantthickness of material throughout the end wall, or a thinned portion ator adjacent the junction between sidewall and end wall, with a thickenednon-resilient section within this border portion. Otherwise the end wallmay take any shape. It is preferred that a central finger cavity beprovided therein to aid in depression during removal, but obviously afiat central portion would also be suitable.

The cam means of the packaging structure of the present inventioncomprises a plurality of protuberances or projections, alignable withtheir cooperating depressions. Though it is preferred that theprojections be on the closure for cooperation with depressions in theperiphery of the container end portion, the reverse configuration Wouldalso give satisfactory results, i.e. depressions in the closure forreceiving projections on the container upper end.

To achieve the inclined plane concept of closure removal, wherein onesurface frictionally slides along another, it is necessary that the cammeans of the present invention have a sliding surface portion maintainedat an acute angle with the horizontal, measured in the direction ofclosure rotation relative to the container. This angle is defined hereinas the angle of slide. The sliding surface controls the movement of thecooperating parts, and may be located on either the projection or thedepression. As illustrated in the preferred embodiment, the surface ispreferably straight, as shown by side (24a or 2412) of the depression,and located at a point of contact of the protuberance within thedepression, though it may have some curvature.

Obviously the magnitude of the angle of slide alfects the ease ofremoval of the closure. Optimum results are obtained at an angle ofbetween about 5 to degrees, and preferably between about 30 to 65degrees. By varying the angle of slide within these limits, it can beseen that the degree of difficulty of removal of the closure from thecontainer can be controlled, thereby controlling in a sense, the degreeof safety of the package structure. Thus, if it is desired to preventremoval of the closure, for example by a five year old child, yet permitremoval by a ten year old, the angle of slide might be maintained at10-15 degrees, whereas if it is desired to prevent removal even by a tenyear old, the angle of slide might be maintained at 45-60 degrees.

The configuration of a projection which mates with a depression must besuch that at least a portion of it fits within its cooperatingdepression, in order to obtain the desired camming action between thesurfaces on rotation. Otherwise, the propections and depressions may beof any shape.

The axial depth of the depressions of the cam means of the presentinvention may vary within wide limits, but must be at least sufiicientto permit disengaging or releasing the locking means when the closure isrotated with the cam means engaged. For most closures a depth of atleast A is satisfactory.

The number of cooperating depressions and protuberances may also varywithin wide limits, dependent, obviously, on the diameter of thecontainer end wall and the width of the depressions. At least two,however, are essential. They may be positioned around the entireperiphery, or alternatively provided in spaced groups on the periphery,with each group comprising a series Of cooperating depressions andprotuberances.

The locking means for holding the closure on the container likewise maytake a variety of forms, in addition to that shown in the preferredembodiment. Alternate locking provisions which yield satisfactoryresults would be one or more grooves in the container cooperating withone or more rings on the closure sidewall, or one or more grooves in thesidewall cooperating with one or more outward projections on the neck,either continuous or interruptedly positioned around the periphery, ineither case.

Sealing provisions in addition to the seal provided by the locking meansmay be included on the closure or container end when the contents is ahygroscopic material, for example, aspirin. This may take the form of ahead or fin on either the outside surface of the container end, or theinside of the closure sidewall, preferably above the previouslydescribed locking means, to maintain a seal between the interior of thecontainer and the locking means.

It will be apparent that the packaging structure of this invention iswell adapted for accomplishing the aforementioned objects by providing acontainer and one piece safety closure which is positive in operation,simple and versatile in construction, and economical to manufacture.

While the present invention has been described in detail, it will bereadily appreciated that many modifications and variations can be madefrom the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A packaging structure comprising:

(a) a container having a substantially cylindrical portion open at oneextremity to define an upper edge surface;

(b) a closure for the open extremity of the cylindrical portion having asidewall and a resilient topwall;

(c) means associated with the sidewall and the cylindrical portion ofthe container for longitudinally securing the sidewall and thecylindrical portion relative to each other; and

(d) cam means associated with an inner surface of the closure and theedge surface of the cylindrical portion of the container, said cam meanscomprising a plurality of protuberances on One of said surfaces, and aplurality of cooperating depressions in the other of said surfaces forreceiving the protuberances on deforming the resilient topwall.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the protuberances are retractablypositioned on the inside of the topwall of the closure and thedepressions are in the top face of the upper edge surface of thecylindrical portion of the container.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the depressions are V-shaped notchesand the protuberances are rounded projections.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the closure is a one piecestructure.

5. A packaging structure comprising:

(A) a container having a substantially cylindrical portion open at oneextremity thereof provided with (a) first locking means on the outersurface of the cylindrical portion below the upper end,

(b) a plurality of shallow depressions around the periphery in the upperend of the cylindrical portion; and

(B) a rotatable closure for the cylindrical portion having (a) a tubularsidewall provided with second locking means at its lower end forresiliently engaging the first locking means of the cylindrical portion,

(b) a resilient end wall closing the opposite end of the sidewall,having a border portion tapering upwardly and inwardly from theperiphery of the end wall, and a central section within the borderportion,

(c) a plurality of rounded projections extending downwardly from theinner surface of the border portion which fit within the depressions onpressing the end wall downward when the first and second locking meansare engaged.

6. The structure of claim 5 including a sliding surface as a sideportion of the depressions.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein the first locking means is a ring,and the second locking means is an inturned flange.

8. The structure of claim 7 wherein the central section of the resilientend wall is a concave downwardly extending finger cavity, and therounded projections are located adjacent the outer edge of the taperingportion of the end wall.

9. The structure of claim 8 wherein the angle of the sliding surfacewith the horizontal, in the direction of rotation of the closure, isbetween about 5 to degrees.

10. The structure of claim 8 wherein the resiliency of the end wall isprovided by reducing the thickness of the junction of the side wall withthe tapering portion of the end Wall.

11. The structure of claim 10 wherein the closure is of one piececonstruction.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein the container is a bottle and thecylindrical portion of the container is a neck.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DONALD F NORTON, PrimaryExaminer.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,398,848 August 27, 1968 Donald W. Donovan It is certified that errorappears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 61, 32" should read 22 Column 4, line 18, resilently"should read resilient line 71, "propections" should read projectionsSigned and sealed this l 7th day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

